"Soeur Everett. We are blessed." - Soeur Skalka (Week 58)

Soeur Skalka and I

Brace yourselves. Just to preface this e-mail... everything contained in it is 100% true. This miracles may seem impossible but they aren't. Pretty sure this has been the most miraculous week of my entire mission.

Okay, here we go...

So this week we went on exchange with Montpellier!!! Even though it ended up being 3 days long with travel time we had some absolutely crazy things happen! I'll just tell you one miracle that happened while in Montpellier with the most adorable Soeur Andersen from Denmark!

Chemin de la Californie

We went to a members house to have a mangez-vous and when we got there they asked us if we would want to teach their friend if he came over after we ate. WELL OF COURSE. When he came over we could both tell he was extremely depressed. He could hardly look us in the eyes. He started to talk to us about how he had made such horrible mistakes in his life and that now that he was starting to believe in God again, the closer he got to God, the more guilty he felt. He said he hadn't been able to sleep for several nights and that he felt like he was damned. In this RDV I have never been more grateful for the Spirit. Heavenly Father completely took over this lesson and guided my words. I honestly don't remember exactly what I said but I made him specific promises that I could only do as a representative of Jesus Christ. After I finished what the Spirit wanted to say the member was in tears and I could see some tears in Georges eyes as well. I promised him he would be baptized and completely cleansed from his sins. And I know without a doubt that my promise wasn't my own. Really amazing experience. (There's more to this but I have no time with so many miracles to share!)

Second. This one is a silly miracle but a miracle nonetheless. So while Soeur Andersen and I were on our way to Montpellier we had a delay in trains and ended up missing our connecting train. We were there in Marseilles and weren't going to get to Montpellier until way past curfew. I said a prayer that we would be able to spend the night in Marseilles (mostly because I wanted to leave the gare and explore...) but the plans didn't work out and we ended up just heading to Montpellier and getting in late. When Soeur Skalka got to Montpellier we had about 5 minutes to go and catch our train. We booked it to the train and we got there right as it was pulling away... :( I was super sad because I missed Cannes a TON after only 2 days haha. Here comes the miracle. Because we missed our direct train we were given a replacement with a STOP IN MARSEILLE. We had an entire hour. It was one of my favorite moments to be in Marseille with one of my best friends at sunset in such a gorgeous city... That was how Heavenly Father answered my prayer from Monday night. In an unexpected way... but way better than it would have been if I had what I originally wanted.

Another billboard we imitated

Ok get ready.... this is the miracle you've been waiting for. Spoiler alert. We have 2 engagés getting baptized on March 14th!!!! Happy birthday dad!!! ;) Here's what happened.



Marseilles

My favorite member Kiwa told us that she had a friend that has been going through really hard times lately. She moved here recently with her 2 daughters and their situation is really difficult (I won't go into detail.) Kiwa invited her to the RDV we had set to meet with her! During the RDV Elizabete (Kiwa's friend) cried and said this is what she's been waiting for her whole life. She then recounted a dream she had 2 weeks ago..... There were 2 young girls on either side of her arms lifting her up to the sky (heaven). She interpreted her dream to mean me and Soeur Skalka and that now everything is making more sense in her life! She told us that she thinks the reason she has been having difficulties and why she had to move to Cannes was so that she could be ready to accept the gospel. Then she introduced us to her two daughters Leony (15) and Kleina (6). All three came to church on Sunday and Elizabete and Leony are getting baptized in 2 1/2 weeks!

An adorable Danish sister named Sister Andersen

We also have TWENTY LESSONS!! Yipee! On Sunday morning we still had 8 lessons to go haha. I love when that happens. But Soeur Skalka and I were extremely determined to get our 20 lessons so did it!! After church we came home and ate lunch, did some power squats and then recited our new favorite quote (one you sent to me mom!). The one about desperation by Sister Nelson. Then we hit the streets!! We set a goal to be done with our lessons by 4pm (about an hour later). Literally the first 4 people we talked to we had lessons with. The next couple took a bit longer but as Soeur Skalka was saying the prayer for our last lesson I looked down at my watch and it said 4:00 on the dot.

Miracles miracles miracles miracles.

Okay, darn I'm completely running out of time and I had such a cool one to share. But voila those are some of them!! This week was incredible.

Also Raphael passed the Sacrament for the first time on Sunday. I just about cried. (And he's at the temple all week with the ward!!)

Love you!

Soeur Ev

"Crumbs of shame" - Sr. Skalka (Week 57)

Valentine's date with Natalie

I am absolutely in love with my companionship. We do nothing but work hard and laugh together! This is probably going to end up being my favorite transfer of my mission, I can feel it.

So this week we ate out twice... it had been a long time since we had eaten out so we justified it. The first time was in Antibes at this cute little café called "restaurant" along the coast. We were sitting there staring out at the ocean and looking at the pretty french architecture and just thinking about how blessed we are. Soeur Skalka was like "Soeur Everett. Can you believe we're just casually sitting here eating delicious food at a café in France?" She's right! Sometimes we just gotta remember how extremely amazing our lives are!

So the quote for the week: we were at this café in Antibes and we (like good Americans do) asked for extra bread after we finished the entire basket. When we finished eating there were crums all over the table. How do French people eat bread without getting crums everywhere??? I'll seriously never understand.



My bff Kiwa

This Valentine's day as a missionary was far better than any Valentine's day yet. (And will probably always be my favorite unless my future husband takes me to France for Valentine's day haha.) We fixed a lunch date with Natalie to go to this restaurant along the Croisette (if you don't know what that is, look it up). Although it was pouring rain all day no one can damper Soeur Skalka's mood so automatically mine couldn't be dampered either. (Literally Soeur Skalka is ALWAYS happy. Never annoyed, never upset, never loses her patience.. she's an angel.)  Anyway, we had the best time together eating pasta straight from heaven and talking about life. Then later that night we had our ward activity to end our "40 day fast" (one or more members picked a day in the 40 days and they did a fast for missionary work and either prayed with us, invited us over, or went out and worked with us.) It was one of the best activities I've been to ever. It was simple and casual but the spirit was strong and we all had a great time!  Frère Perez took me completely off guard after I sang my song and asked me if I would share a missionary experience and then bear my testimony. He literally asked me on the spot! Haha. However, I was extremely grateful to be able to talk about why I am grateful to be a missionary. I talked about deciding to come on a mission and what it meant to me to be here. I couldn't help but cry and I saw some people in the audience who were touched as well. I love when I can help people feel the Spirit somehow. It's one of the best feelings.

Took a few too many of these and they were all fails....

Ok here's a good Valentine's day story. This actually happened the day before Valentine's day but that's ok. So we were at a members house going to help him move but then it started pouring rain and he decided to cancel. :( We got free umbrellas from it though! Haha. We got on the bus heading back and we paid for our tickets and while I was walking away the bus driver starts talking to Soeur Skalka. Here's the convo:

"Do you speak English?"
"....yes?"
Then he points at her and very seriously says:
"I love you."
Hahahahahahahah I died. Happy Valentine's day Soeur Skalka. ;)

Alright now for some cool miracles!!!! Whoohoo!


We take the best selfies

On Monday night we decided to go porting. It was Soeur Skalka's first time ever. Right before we went to the neighborhood we were planning to porte we see this beautiful leather couch in like perfect condition on the road. Sr Skalka wanted that so bad... but sadly I had to break her little heart. (But I took a picture of her with it.) She turned to me and said she knew there was a miracle coming because of this miracle couch. So we started porte-ing and we talked to some weird people and we talked to some not-interested people. Finally we get to this door and Sr Skalka goes up on her tippy toes so that she can talk into the speaker phone....and he's not interested either. So we kept on keeping on and we rang this doorbell and the lady INVITED US IN. Whatttttt. She answered our questionnaire and asked if we could come back 2 days later. 2 days later we went back and we had an AWESOME rdv with her. Her house is as clean as a temple and she had snacks and drinks all ready for us. We taught her the Retab and we gave her a BOM and set a return appointment!

Then the next night.... literally anything and everything we planned fell through... one of those days. And even more it rained. So we went out to this outer ville where we were going to go to a members house but that fell through so we went porting instead. Guess what? After knocking on like 4 houses WE GOT LET IN AGAIN. The couple was way super cool. They said they already knew missionaries a really long time ago! We shared a story from Christ with them and they said we could come back whenever we wanted. :)

A picture a member printed out for us.

Missions are fun everyone. I know people say they're hard, but they're more fun than they are hard. I'm so happy.

Ok as for a spiritual thought... I know I've been talking about the same thing like every single week but I found this really really great quote this week from Uchtdorf (he gives the best talks.) It's about our testimony. Here you go:

"The more we incline our hearts and minds toward God, the more heavenly light distills upon our souls. And each time we willingly and earnestly seek that light, we indicate to God our readiness to receive more light. Gradually, things that before seemed hazy, dark, and remote become clear, bright and familiar to us."

Beautiful isn't it??

Ok gotta go!
Bisous love you!

Soeur Ev

"Goodnight my little princess." - Soeur Skalka (Week 56)

Companion shot

I think this quote sums up our companionship pretty well. Its been an AWESOME week. Nothing but happiness and laughter.


Soeur Skalka decided to call me her "Godmother" because I have been in her life ever since she was born (on the mission). I met her the first day she was in France, I went on exchange with her first transfer when she was in Toulouse AND I went on exchange with her second transfer when she was in Toulon (she was also in my district so we saw each other frequently). And now in her 3rd transfer we're companions! I think Heavenly Father was preparing us to love each other before we were even together so we could have the best transfer ever. :)


English Class Streetboard

Okay, I didn't say anything about Soeur Skalka in my last email so I will do that now! She is a little 4'11" beauty from Logan, Utah. She is a gymnast (and a really good one) and she goes to Utah State. Boooo. ;) She is a little ball of sunshine and literally she is never unhappy. She radiates! I love being with her.

We've had a great week! Its been weird, but its been good haha.


So much rain this week...

First of all. We went and visited Raphael this week with Natalie (I don't know if I've explained who she is yet but she goes to BYU and she's nannying a family that lives just outside the city so she'll be in our ward for a few months!) She is wonderful! Anyway, she came with us to visit Raphael. During our RDV we were talking about the Plan of Salvation and afterwards we were just chatting about how lucky we were to have this modern day revelation. Raphael said he knew for sure now that Joseph Smith really did have the first vision and that he was the prophet who restored the Church. I remember my first RDV with him when he told me that he didn't really believe in the BOM or in any of our prophets but just that he liked being at our Church because it made him happy. Its amazing how far he has come!


My cute companion, Soeur Skalka

So after Church yesterday I was sitting talking to Natalie and she told me that the family she is nannying for has apparently taken missionary lessons in the past and really loved it! The mom told Natalie that she had a ton of questions for her and that sometime they should sit and talk about it! Natalie said she's going to ask them if maybe we could come over again! So cool. But wait there's more. She then told us about this nanny who she met who had come to France a few years ago and didn't really know why she felt like she really needed to come. Natalie said that she had joined tons of different churches in the time she had been here and that she still hadn't found one that she really loved. Then Natalie gave her a BOM and she told us that she was planning on inviting her to Church!!! Natalie is so cool - she's basically a missionary too haha.
 

We were attempting to make a heart with arms & legs...

So remember that cool amie that we got last week? (The sister of a member in the ward.) Well turns out she doesn't speak French as well as I thought so we have to pass her to the Portuguese elders. :( BUT Antonio (her brother) told us that she is planning to come to our Church from now on so I think she will be baptized soon! The baptisms are going to start going crazy here. The Portuguese elders have sooooo much to do. (Also to answer your question mom: one is Brazilian and the other is half Brazilian so they're native speakers.)


Here's another poster we tried to imitate...

Oh cool experience this Sunday. So last week I prepared this lesson to give in Sunday school and we started super late and I hardly had any time so they told me I could do it again. Anyway, a couple things had happened that morning and I hadn't even reviewed the lesson and I wasn't feeling up to teaching at all. I said a prayer in my heart that the Spirit would be able to teach the lesson since I was feeling not adequate to teach. Somehow the lesson went perfectly. Afterwards this French man who I have a reaaaalllyyy hard time sparking came up to me and told me congratulations for the incredible lesson. YES!! I'm so grateful for the Spirit.


DL says we can't enter the dance competition:-(

Okay, timing has been weird since emails were cut in half so I think that's all the experiences I can share for this week. I'll try to get more included next week! But I wanted to share quickly what I learned this morning.

So this week I made a goal to study the woman in the scriptures! I started off today with Esther. She is soooo cool.

 15 ¶Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her. (Esther 2:15)

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. (Esther 4:16)

17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews. (Esther 8:17)

What I love about Esther is that she is meek and submissive but she is also courageous and strong in her conviction! And look what one woman was able to do! She saved an entire people and many converted because of her too. I want to be like Esther.

Man I wish I had more time to tell you more about what I learned about her!! Its ok, we'll talk when I get back. :) haha.

Bisoussss

Sœur Ev

"Literally only names of apostles are coming to my head." -Soeur Staples (Week 55)

My new companion, Soeur Skalka!!

So I'll explain the quote this time haha. After planning the other night we were sitting there trying so hard to remember a name of an actor in Les Mis and we tried for like 15 minutes just throwing out random stuff. Eventually Soeur Staples said that hahaha. I laughed for so long.

Anyway... TRANSFERS!!!!!! It was definitely exciting!!! They whitewashed our elders. :( (Antibes elders both stayed.) We're sad, they were really great. BUT they took them out to put in 2 Portuguese speaking elders!!! Whaaattttttt. Its going to be incredible. They will have TONS of work to do here. We have so many people from Portugal and Cape Verde for them to teach. Especially referrals from our Portuguese speaking members. Its funny, we have this one member named Alberto who just barely moved here from Portugal. He speaks veryyyy minimal French. He usually speaks to me in Portuguese and I respond in French. And I think sometimes he forgets that I don't really speak Portuguese because I'm mostly just guessing what he is saying haha. Oh well, maybe I'll be able to speak Portuguese when I get home. ;)

I had a really wonderful exchange in Nice last week with Soeur Grunke. :) First of all Nice is GORGEOUSSSSS. And second Soeur Grunke is amazing... I learned a ton from her. While we were on a tram going to a RDV with a less active I started talking to this lady after I composted my ticket. Just the usual asking her how her day was going. She was probably more sparked than anyone I've ever said hi to on public transport. She went on and on about how I was the most adorable person she had ever met and she even told some random lady standing by us how adorable I was hahaha. She's like: "Don't ever change! People should talk to each other more! You made my day!" So sweet huh?

We had such a cool miracle this week! I made this goal that once a week (this is a new thing) that I would have an English fast (aka speak French all day long). This week on Wednesday we did an English fast and we had the most miraculous day ever!!!! I'll just share one little part of our day. We were at the church teaching Raphael (update on him in a sec) and we finished and were all heading out the door. As we were leaving we see these two random ladies coming in the gate. I turned to our members and asked if they knew them and they said no... So we went up to them and asked them if they were members. They said, oh no we just wanted to come and see your chapel. WHAT. (First of all our church is not in centre ville its like out in neighborhoods where no one even walks by. Second, we are hardly ever at the church... it was a miracle that they came by at that exact time!) So of COURSE we gave them a tour. They absolutely loved it. They thought our chapel was beautiful and they said that they would come to church sometime soon! We got their number too so we can bug them. ;)

Ok now update on our amazing recent converts.


View of Nice from member's apartment

Raphael...... He's just so elect. I have never seen him happier. He just BEAMS with the spirit, its amazing! This week we were out contacting on the street and we ran into him! The first thing he says is "I had this feeling as I was leaving my apartment that I would run into you." How great is he???? On Sunday he got the priesthood!!! I just about cried. As he was saying goodbye to my lovely companion Soeur Staples he was talking to us about how much we had done for him. He said "It's thanks to you two and Soeur Hutchins (the sister right before I got here) that I'm a member now. You completely changed my life, thank you so much." This is basically the best thing in the entire world to hear as a missionary. We love him so much.
Sandra!!! The poor thing got some sort of flu. She had a fever and everything. We didn't even know she was sick until we got to her house on Saturday. I have no clue why she let us visit her! If I were her I would've wanted to stay in bed all day! Tangi told us it was because she needed that extra light lately after her long week of work. OH speaking of work! The reason why Sandra and Tangi had to move to Cannes is because Tangi lost his job. He has been out of work ever since and has been trying to find something. It's actually been a huge blessing to the missionaries that he hasn't been working because he was able to help us out allll the time. But this week (the week right after Sandra's baptism) HE GOT A JOB. It's full-time and he got a life-time contract!!!!!!!!!! They are now looking for an apartment so they can move out of Sandras moms tiny apartment. I'm sooooo happy for them. And they recognize that this is a blessing from her baptism.


Vanessa, the Antibes Elder's amie

Isn't it amazing how blessed I have been on the second half of my mission? I've met people who have completely changed my life. I can't even imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't come back. I'm so grateful I stuck it out even when it was hard. Heavenly Father knew what He was doing having me go home (in order to appreciate being a missionary that much more among other things) and to come back at this specific time so that I could meet these people. I'm not so sure that I am here to help them as much as they are here to help me. I love being a missionary!!!!! There is nothing I have ever loved doing more. I feel the Spirit all the time. I feel fulfilled all the time. And I feel this peace knowing that Heavenly Father is proud of me and happy with the work that I do, even when I wish I had done more. I am really blessed. Really really blessed. Heavenly Father really does know best, we just have to keep reminding ourselves.

So I read this talk recently with a really cool thought that I wanted to share!! Its about the story of the 10 virgins (it kind of goes with what I said last week about scripture study..)

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
“And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. …
“[They that were] wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
“Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
“And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
“But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
“Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
“But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, Ye know me not.” (Matt 25)

I don’t think there is anyone, especially among those with tender hearts, who doesn’t feel sad for the foolish young women. And some of us just want to say to the others, “Can’t you just share so everyone can be happy?” But think about it. This is a story the Savior told, and He is the one who calls five of them “wise” and five of them “foolish.”

As we consider this parable as a pattern for temple preparation, consider the words of a latter-day prophet who taught that “the oil of spiritual preparedness cannot be shared.”  President Spencer W. Kimball helped clarify why the five “wise” young women could not share the oil in their lamps with those who were “foolish” when he said: “Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions … —these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps.”

Isn't her commentary so great!?! I used to always think that way about this story how it wasn't very nice of the five wise to not share their oil. But as Linda Burton says, oil can't be shared even if we wanted to! The personal efforts we make each day in reading our scriptures, praying, having family prayer, being kind, paying tithing, etc. etc. contribute to our lamps drop by drop. I love this image. I also feel like the more full our lamp is the happier we are. I think that's why missionaries are so happy. Our lamps are basically overflowing haha.

Anyway, I gotta go soon! I love you!!! Have a great week. :)

Soeur Ev

"On dirait une princesse Disney" - Soeur Gentil (Week 54)

Holy cowwwwwww. This has been one crazy week! The church is true.

Oh, about the title of this week's post - a lady in our ward told me I sounded like a Disney princess when I sang. I just about cried.

Opposition was really really really against us this week but all ended well because Sandra is now a member. :) I love her so much! I wish I could express how much she meant to me in words. I think I wanna take a bit and talk about her. I will be able to talk so much more when I'm home but she's one of those people who's changed my life.



If only I could express how much I love these people in this picture. Baptism of Sandra by Tangi.

So when she met Tangi she didn't believe in God at allllll. She had completely lost faith mostly from extremely difficult circumstances (stuff I can't even imagine going through) growing up. What inspires me most about Sandra is how she isn't at all hardened by the difficulties she's experienced in life, they've actually done the complete opposite and made her even more caring and loving. She doesn't hate people or Heavenly Father for giving her an extra hard life, she just accepts it and moves on! She inspires me. Anyway. She started coming to church with Tangi because of how much it meant to him. She said that she slowly starting believing in God as she was enveloped by the love of the people in the Saint Raphael branch. She could feel God's love through them! Isn't that cool? In the meantime she has been slowly but surely making progress in the church. There was even a time when she quit smoking! Then things took a super bad turn and they pretty much lost everything and had to move here to live with her mom. I won't go into detail. But voila that's where she started meeting with missionaries again. All she needed was a little push in the right direction and to be really engaged and she has all the self-motivation in the world to get herself where she wants to be.

Soeur Hall

The night before her baptism I called her and shared Romans 8:16-17 and promised her how this was just a step to receiving the greatest gift God has in store for us: to receive all that He has. She told me how excited she was for the next day and how long the journey had been to get there. We kept talking and right before she hung up she told me thank you for everything I had done. She said she wouldn't have been getting baptized if it weren't for us pushing her in the right direction. I had tears come to my eyes when she said this. I could feel really strongly that we were meant to be in each others lives. I can't imagine not knowing Sandra! She is incredible. Her baptism was beautiful and as I saw her and her husband in the baptismal font I cried. I want more than anything to be there when they get sealed!!!!!!!!! I love them so much!


We had to trade apartments with the Elders.  Disgusting.

Anyway. :) Raphael is doing SOOOO well. He is the best. So elect. So faithful. He brought his mom to our Chapel open-house and he told us that she was really touched by it. He said he's setting the example for his family. :) And he's totally stoked about his family history calling. I feel SOOO blessed to have been able to teach these two angels!!! They make me want to be better!

On a less spiritual note... This week I had an exchange with Toulon (second exchange with the adorable Soeur Skalka!!!) Side note: we choreographed a dance to "Glorious" by David Archuleta - I'll show you someday. So we had quite the interesting exchange. We got to teach "english class" to a french lady who spoke perfect english. We basically just had a convo in english about her world travels. It was suuuper fun.

Back in our old apartment.  Woo hoo!

Then the next day we went to an inactive members house who fed us spaghetti (Sr. Skalka was convinced it had been soaked in alcohol). Then here comes the best part hahaha. So we were at a bus stop waiting for our bus (of course). Sr. Skalka was on the phone with her companion trying to figure out our getting back home situation. In the meantime I contacted this man that was standing there waiting for the bus as well. Literally the first thing he says after I ask him how he's doing is how he's 44 and not married and how everyone else in his entire family is married. Then he goes on to ask me if I wanted to marry him..??? I told him I was a "sister" (best way to get away from weirdos ever) and then walked away. Sooooo that was strange hahaha.


View from the chapel in Antibes

Here's a really super super cool miracle. So we were at a part member family's house this week for lunch. The wife has been a member for a super long time (about 40ish years??) and her husband has never been interested to join the church. He is Catholic (not practicing) and he just thinks he would be betraying tradition to join another church. (But me and Frère Goncalo - we call him frère even though he's not a member - are really close. For some reason we just get along really well. He's the one that took us to midnight mass.) We had a really deep conversation during lunch about how we need to try things in order to know that we don't like it or that we can't do it. Later on during the spiritual thought he started talking about how he has never said a prayer outloud in his whole life. He thinks prayers should be private. I brought back up the fact how he had said earlier that we had to try things in order to know we didn't like them. He sat and thought for a bit and then he said he would pray. THEN HE SAID A PRAYER OUTLOUD FOR THE FIRST TIME. His wife was so shocked. That is the first prayer she has ever heard him say. Frère Perez (our ward mission leader and their son in law) told us this is a huge step and that maybe now "the ball is in motion" and he could start progressing really fast. We'll see!

Soeur Skalka

I read something really cool this morning that I wanted to share. It's talking about the importance of scripture study - I loooove this.

We talk to God through prayer. He most often communicates back to us through His written word. To know what the voice of the Divine sounds and feels like, read His words, study the scriptures, and ponder them. Make them an integral part of everyday life. If you want your children to recognize, understand, and act on the promptings of the Spirit, you must study the scriptures with them.

Don’t yield to Satan’s lie that you don’t have time to study the scriptures. Choose to take time to study them. Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it!

"There are many prophetic promises of the blessings of daily studying the scriptures.
I add my voice with this promise: as you dedicate time every day, personally and with your family, to the study of God’s word, peace will prevail in your life. That peace won’t come from the outside world. It will come from within your home, from within your family, from within your own heart. It will be a gift of the Spirit. It will radiate out from you to influence others in the world around you. You will be doing something very significant to add to the cumulative peace in the world."
(Richard G. Scott is so great.)

I actually have extra time today since I did emails so early so maybe I will share a little bit about what I have been learning about Enos. (Enos is bomb.)

This is going to look really long...but I'm going to put it in anyway. Read it if you so please haha.


1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it—
2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.
3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. (This is the reason why Enos went out to the forest and prayed his famous prayer.)
4 And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. (I've been pondering lately how I can make my prayers as intense as Enos did. What made his prayer mighty? How can our prayers be mighty too?)
5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.


Soeur Staples

6 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away
7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?
8 And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.
9 Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites;wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them. (Again, pouring out his whole soul. This time for others.)
10 And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, (I'm also highlighting the strong prayer imagery words) behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments. I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy land; and I curse it not save it be for the cause of iniquity; wherefore, I will visit thy brethren according as I have said; and their transgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their own heads.
11 And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord; and I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites.
12 And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith. (The Lord told him he could have whatever he wanted!!!! Look what he asked for.)
13 And now behold, this was the desire which I desired of him—that if it should so be, that my people, the Nephites, should fall into transgression, and by any means be destroyed, and the Lamanites should not be destroyed, that the Lord God would preserve a record of my people, (aka the Book of Mormon) the Nephites; even if it so be by the power of his holy arm, that it might be brought forth at some future day unto the Lamanites, that, perhaps, they might be brought unto salvation—

I just really love Enos. What a great example in showing us the power of prayer and the importance of the scriptures! Of course now I need to invite you to ponder and study how you can pray with more vigor (wrestle, hungered, mighty prayer, reached the heavens, pour out whole soul, prayed with long strugglings, with all diligence, etc.) and to make scripture study a priority! Like Richard G. Scott said, that is most often how God communicates to us.

I love you!
Bisous bisous
Soeur Ev

"Any questions, comments, concerns, queries, and/or other etcetera?" - Sr. Staples (Week 53)

RAPHAEL GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! He's so cool. Soooooo cool. I guess I'll go ahead and start out talking about him! Its been a crazy great week here. The interviews went really well and when he got out Elder Burton told me how impressed he was by Raphael and that he knew he was going to be a great addition to the ward here. I couldn't agree more.



Me being excited before Raphael's baptism

This week we taught Raphael with Kiwa about temples and family history. During the lesson Raphael told us how not very long before he met the missionaries he had received a revelation from God that he needed to do his family history. And then (believe it or not) - also note that we told NO ONE about him telling this to us - on Sunday he got a calling to be a family history consultant WHATTTTT??. So inspired. Miracles are real. The church is true.



Raphael got baptized!!!

I have never seen Raphael more happy than the past couple of days. He was absolutely radiating. After church he said "So do I still get to meet with you guys?" I was like "OF COURSE Raphael!!!!!" The poor thing thought that once he was a member he didn't get missionaries to visit him anymore. Ugh he's so great. I feel so blessed that I was able to teach him!!!! He is going to be a strong member and such a blessing to this ward for his entire life.

In other news...SANDRA PASSED HER INTERVIEW AND IS GETTING BAPTIZED THIS SATURDAY!!!! Whoohoooooooo baptisms are the best. I absolutely adore Sandra. She inspires me so incredibly much. I want to be as strong as her someday. She has had a lotttttt of trials in her life and she doesn't let anyone know it. She isn't hardened by anything. She is so good at turning out. SHE QUIT SMOKING!!! So after church on Sunday she comes up to me and grabs me and says "Soeur Everett. Last night I smoked all night long....... in my dreams." hahahaha I like had a heart attack and she thought it was the most hilarious thing ever. We are like best friends. She is wonderful. (I really hope I stay here, I can't imagine leaving her.) 



Cannes

Elder Burton interviewed her as well. (He and his wife are the couple missionary in our area.) He was equally impressed with her. He made me cry as he told me about his interview with her. He said that Sandra told her she hasn't been the same person since the sisters started teaching her. He told me that she really loves how I take care of her and then Elder Burton told me there was no way I could leave because he thinks Sandra needs me to help her in her beginning stages of being a new convert. We'll see I guess!

We've had so many cool miracles this week but I'll just share one!




Antibes

We've been going through an enormous stack of old amis and trying to either pass their houses or call them. One that Soeur Staples had called ended up calling us back on day during lunch. We started talking to him and he said that he would love for us to come over and asked if we could go right then! YES OF COURSE. We had no clue where we were going but we took and bus and basically prayed we'd be able to find it haha. We never got lost, no worries. We got there and he was alone in the house so we couldn't go in but he told us his story. Apparently he had been coming to church for years (he even calls himself a Mormon) and then he got paralyzed and couldn't come anymore. I guess maybe people forgot about him??? Its sad.... But he told us that he really wants to start coming again! When we told the ward about him in ward council they totally remembered him!!!!!! He's extremely cool and he is ready to be baptized. We're gonna start working with him this week. :)


On exchange with Soeur Kayla Skalka from Logan

Sorry I've had a ton to do during these emails so I didn't get to spend as much time on this as I would've wanted to. BUT here's my spiritual thought.
This week I've been Roney Pattern-ing "delightification" (a word invented by Soeur Roney). Basically I've been studying how to be happy. I've come across some really cool talks and really cool scriptures. 

First of all 4 Nephi 1:2-17 (sorry no time for commentary!)

2 And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.
3 And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.
4 And it came to pass that the thirty and seventh year passed away also, and there still continued to be peace in the land.


In Monaco on exchange with Sisters from Nice.

5 And there were great and marvelous works wrought by the disciples of Jesus, insomuch that they did heal the sick, and raise the dead, and cause the lame to walk, and the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear; and all manner of miracles did they work among the children of men; and in nothing did they work miracles save it were in the name of Jesus.
6 And thus did the thirty and eighth year pass away, and also the thirty and ninth, and forty and first, and the forty and second, yea, even until forty and nine years had passed away, and also the fifty and first, and the fifty and second; yea, and even until fifty andnine years had passed away.
7 And the Lord did prosper them exceedingly in the land; yea, insomuch that they did build cities again where there had been cities burned.
8 Yea, even that great city Zarahemla did they cause to be built again.
9 But there were many cities which had been sunk, and waters came up in the stead thereof; therefore these cities could not be renewed.
10 And now, behold, it came to pass that the people of Nephi did wax strong, and did multiply exceedingly fast, and became an exceedingly fair and delightsome people.
11 And they were married, and given in marriage, and were blessed according to the multitude of the promises which the Lord had made unto them.
12 And they did not walk any more after the performances and ordinances of the law of Moses; but they did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God, continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord.
13 And it came to pass that there was no contention among all the people, in all the land; but there were mighty miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesus.
14 And it came to pass that the seventy and first year passed away, and also the seventy and second year, yea, and in fine, till the seventy and ninth year had passed away; yea, even an hundred years had passed away, and the disciples of Jesus, whom he had chosen, had all gone to the paradise of God, save it were the three who should tarry; and there were other disciples ordained in their stead; and also many of that generation had passed away.
15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.
16 And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.
17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.

Second of all:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2000/12/lessons-learned-in-the-journey-of-life?lang=eng

I love youuu!

Soeur Ev

I found Froot Loops with Marshmallows (aka "Loopy Charms")

"Serenity brings eternity." - Soeur Staples (Week 52)

Always the best words of wisdom from my companion. ;)

Dinner at less-actives.  My place had this cup!

What a wonderful week! The best news is that if all goes as planned Raphael will be getting baptized this weekend and Sandra will get baptized the next weekend! We're so excited!!!!!

Okay this is going to have to be a bit shorter because apparently the hours in our internet café changed and we had to relocate and now its late and places are closing. Fin bref. I'll give you the update that I can. :)

I'm not sure if I mentioned last week but on Sunday Raphael approached us and said he wanted to do missionary work with us! Our ward is doing a "40 day fast" where each member has one day  of the 40 days and then on their day they either do missionary work with us or pray for our amis! Its awesomeee. Anyway, Raphael wanted to participate! So on the day that we were going to go out working with him ALL of our plans fell through. Luckily they fell through before we were with him so we could figure out what to do instead. After calling basically everyone we could think of finally Soeur Staples had the inspiration to go visit a lady in our ward who had been hospitalized for a few months and was super lonely. We went with Mama Gentil as well! It was such a great experience. We could tell how much it meant to Sr. Berthon (the lady in the hospital) that we came to visit her. Afterwards Raphael expressed how much it touched him. :) Then on our bus ride home he was talking to EVERYONE. This guy is a better missionary than me people. Man he was so sparked by the whole experience. It was incredible!!!

Sunrise outside our apartment

So the Rodrigues family has been telling us that they had a referral for us. We finally got to go and visit her this week!! This lady is really cool! She's older and a very strong Christian and apparently has met with missionaries before! She seemed to agree with everything we taught her (which is always a good sign.) :) Hopefully she starts progressing! Yay for member referrals!!!

Ok cool miracle. On Saturday we were out passing ancient amis. We tried finding this specific building for like 30 minutes and couldn't find it ANYWHERE. As we were looking we felt like we had seen every single other letter on the other buildings except for A!! Finally we saw someone to ask (this place was practically deserted as far as people walking around went). We go and ask this lady if she knew where batiment A was and she had no clue. Great. We took the opportunity to ask her if she wanted to learn a message about Jesus Christ and she said yes! Just as I was about to get her number she sees her bus coming and takes off running. Without thinking twice I took off running after her and handed her a card as she was getting on the bus. About 30 seconds later SHE CALLED US. This never happens... ever. She told us that she had found the batiment we were looking for! So not only did we get to find what we were looking for for an hour but we also got her number. So in brief, she will be baptized and so will her family. :)

Crowded bus selfie

Also quick news!! We got a new member in the ward for the next 3 months! She is 20 and goes to BYU and from Colorado. She is being a nanny for someone who lives in the next town over! How cool is that???? So now we have someone to teach with us allllll the time. Its awesome.

Okay I am out of time so sorry!!! I read the best talk ever this week and the whole time I was thinking about how much the Lord has blessed with with goodly parents. Read this!

"As parents, we are to be the prime gospel teachers and examples for our children—not the bishop, the Sunday School, the Young Women or Young Men, but the parents. As their prime gospel teachers, we can teach them the power and reality of the Atonement—of their identity and divine destiny—and in so doing give them a rock foundation upon which to build. When all is said and done, the home is the ideal forum for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Christmas present from the Roney's

In the life to come, I do not know if titles such as bishop or Relief Society president will survive, but I do know that the titles of husband and wife, father and mother, will continue and be revered, worlds without end. That is one reason it is so important to honor our responsibilities as parents here on earth so we can prepare for those even greater, but similar, responsibilities in the life to come.

As parents, we can proceed with the assurance God will never leave us alone. God never gives us a responsibility without offering divine aid—of that I can testify. May we in our divine role as parents, and in partnership with God, become the prime gospel teachers and examples for our children, I so pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/parents-the-prime-gospel-teachers-of-their-children?lang=eng

Thank you mom and dad for being the best parents I could ever imagine having. You've taught me and made me the person I am today. I love you for every lesson I've learned from you - whether by example or in word. Thanking for being Christlike. Thank you for partnering with God as you taught me. The older I get the more I appreciate everything you've done for me. I couldn't love you more!

Bonne semaine! Bisous!

Soeur Ev

PS Pray super hard for Raphael and Sandra!!!!!!